Home for the Holidays in Florida

Dec. 5, 2012 10:55 a.m. ET

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The owner, Dennis 'Denny' Ryan, 66, purchased this 1.6-acre waterfront property in Manalapan, Fla., with his wife Betty, 64, for $2.4 million in 2000, according to public records. They tore down the existing home and built this Mediterranean-style home over three years, completing it in 2003, Mr. Ryan said.
Brian Lee Photography…

Mr. Ryan was the senior vice president of merchandising for home improvement retailer Home Depot. After leaving his post, he put much of his time and effort into building this more than 17,000-square-foot home on the Intracoastal Waterway. 'It was like full-time work,' he recalls. Including outdoor covered spaces, the home measures about 23,000 square feet.
Andy Frame Photography…

Mr. Ryan calls the home 'Villa Vacanza,' or holiday villa, because it was designed as a gathering place for the couple's adult children and grandchildren. The living room, shown here, featured an ornate groined ceiling and a chandelier that can be lowered for easy maintenance. A 1,200-gallon aquarium can be seen in the back of the room, which Mr. Ryan said is big enough to fit a person in scuba gear.
Andy Frame Photography…

The billiard room features a hand-carved bar that the couple imported from Italy, Mr. Ryan said. A pool table was custom-built to match the wood's color. The home is being sold furnished, including the couple's collection of antiques and furnishings.
Andy Frame Photography…

Mr. Ryan's office, with coffered ceiling and Brazilian rosewood flooring, is shown. A longtime boxing enthusiast, Mr. Ryan keeps a boxing glove signed by Muhammad Ali on the far left shelf. Since retiring at 55, Mr. Ryan tinkers with furniture making in a workspace on the property.
Andy Frame Photography…

'It's almost an upside-down house,' Mr. Ryan said, with most of the typical first-floor rooms, like the master bedroom and kitchen, on the second floor. He said he had it designed this way to better capture the views and to build higher ceilings. The main level includes an art studio, a home theater, a videogame arcade for the grandchildren, the office and other bedrooms. There are eight bedrooms, nine full baths and four half baths on the property.
Andy Frame Photography…

The home theater, which accommodates about 12 people, is shown.
Andy Frame Photography…

The tennis court and part of the home's exterior is shown. There is also an 80-foot-long pool on the property, Mr. Ryan said.
Andy Frame Photography…

The gym is mirrored on three sides and has views of the water. The equipment will be included in the sale, Mr. Ryan said.
Andy Frame Photography…

'At this time, it would be nice to scale down,' Mr. Ryan said about his decision to sell. Though the family still visits for holidays, usually it's just Mr. and Mrs. Ryan on the property, along with their Shih Tzu Hattie.
Andy Frame Photography…

The property was previously listed in 2006 for just under $16 million with another brokerage. The home is currently listed at $11.7 million with Bill Kirk and Cristina Condon of Sotheby's International Realty.
Andy Frame Photography…